Test tube os bottle cap and method of llaettrpacturing the same



Feb. 11, 1930. v H. A. SAYFORD 1,

TEST TUBE OR BOTTLE CAP AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME Filed Nov. 15. 1928 INVENTOR. Hon arid ,S'ayford- Patented Feb. 11, 1930 HOWARD A. SAYFOBD, F VINELAND, NEW JERSEY TEST TUBE OR BOTTLE CAP AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME Application filed November 13, 1928. Serial No. 319,174.

This invention relates to a test tube or bottle cap and method of manufacturing the same, and has for its object to produce, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a new, inexpensive, simple and thoroughly efficient cap capable of being conveniently applied in and removed from closing position when desired.

A cap, in accordance with this invention is designed primarily for use for the closing of test tubes or vials, but it is to be understood that it may be employed in any connection for which it is found applicable. A cap, in accordance with this invention when used to close test tubes overcomes the objections to the types of stoppers now generally employed for such purpose. As is well known, when closing test tubes a rubber stopper or a wad or plug of cotton is employed. The rubber stopper must be sterilized each time the tube is used, and by subjecting it to the high temperature necessary to sterilize, the life of the stopper is materially shortened resulting in its use for but two or three applications. When the wad-or plug of cotton is employed, it has but one application and then discarded. The disadvantage in the first type is the expense of the rubber stopper, the requirement for sterilization and its comparatively short life. The disadvantage in the second 0 type is the labor involved in making up the plug and the inconvenience in handling and inserting the same.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth a fibrous cap for the purpose referred to, and with the cap having its skirt possessing. an inherent resilient characteristic to frictionally grip the periphery of the tube for the purpose of ,reinovably securing the cap in closing position with respect to the tube, and further to prevent the accidental shifting of the cap from such position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a cap for the purpose referred to formed from a one-piece body of fibrous material, and including a flat head and a compressed skirt corresponding in shape to, of greater thickness than and extended from the edge of the head, and with the skirt possessing a resilient characteristic for removably securing the cap in closing position with respect to the tube.

further object of the invention is to provide a cap for the purpose referred to from a one-piece body of fibrous material having one of its faces coated, and with the cap including a flat head and a compressed skirt corresponding in shape to, of greater thickness than and extended from the edge of the head, and with the skirt possessing a resilient 6o characteristic for removably securing the cap in closing position with respect to the tube, and further with the head and skirt having its outer periphery coated.

A further object of the invention is to provide a cap for the purpose referred to formed from a one-piece body of fibrous material and including a flat head and a compressed skirt corresponding in shape to, of greater thickness than and extended from the edge of the head, and having the inner and outer faces thereof smooth and uninterrupted throughout, and further forming the skirt with an inherent resilient characteristic for the purpose of frictionally and snugly engaging the outer periphery of the tube when the cap is mounted thereon, under such conditions the cap, although being removably secured in position, is prevented from being accidentally shi ted from'closing position with respect to $0 the tube.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists of the novel form of cap and method of producing it as hereinafter more specifically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, but it is to be understood that changes in the de tails thereof can be had which will fall with in the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a fragmentary view in top plan of the fibrous stock from which the blank is cut.

Figure 2 is a section on line 2-2 Figure 1. 95.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1 with a blank cut therefrom.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the blank.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the appearance of the blank after being initially 100 acted upon during the method of manufacturing the cap.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the cap.

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view, upon an enlarged scale of the structure shown in Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional View upon an enlarged scale of the completed cap.

Referring to the drawings 1 indicates a web of fibrous stock from which the circular cap blank 2 is cut. The stock can be of any suitablethickness and preferably of a width greater than the diameter of the blank 2. The opening formed in the stock, when blank 2 is cut therefrom is indicated at 3.

One. face of the stock 1 is coated throughout with a reinforcing composition 4 to prevent tearing of the blank 2 at the point of greatest strain thereon, i. c.. at the junction of the head 5 and skirt 6 of the cap. The composition also reduces friction as the male and female dies engage. The cap is referred to generally at 7. The coating 4 provides a finish throughout the outer periphery of the cap. Preferably the coating consists of tallow and soap.

The coated stock 1 is fed to the machine from large rolls and passes under combination cutting and male and female forming dies, the forming dies being arranged within the cutting die. The cutting die first engages the stock and cuts out blank 2, after which the male and female forming dies cooperate to act on the blank 2 to shape it first to the form 8, Figures 5 and 7, consisting of a flared skirt 9 and a head 10. The forming dies continue to act on the blank 2 to provide the complete cap 7, Figures 6 and 8, consist ingof the circular head 5 and annular skirt 6, the latter being of slightly greater thickness than the former. The skirt 6 is of a length substantially equal to the diameter of the head 5.1

The part providing the skirt 6 is crimped, creased, or creped and further compressed by the action of the forming dies during the formation of the skirt and head, the compression being to the extent to form the skirt substantially solid, but at the same time the skirt will possess sufficient resiliency to frictionally engage the periphery of the test tube whereby the cap is removably secured thereon and prevented from being accidentally shifted thereoff.

The crimping, creasing or creping that part of blank 2 which provides the skirt will form overlapping portions which are compressed together by the time the skirt is completed under such conditions providing a substantially solid body from which the skirt is formed. The skirt when completed possesses an inherent resilient characteristic. \Vhen completed, the skirt has its outer diameter uniform throughout and its inner diameter gradually increasing from its outer end or free end to its point of joinder with the head. By this arrangement the body of the skirt gradually increases in thickness from the head 5 to its outer or free end whereby the flaring at such end is prevented and further the durability of the free edge of the skirt is enhanced due to its increased width. The providing of the inner face of the resilient skirt of gradually increasing diameter from its outer to its inner end causes the skirt at its outer end to tightly grip the tube whereby a seal is provided extendinginwardly from the outer end towards the inner end of the inner face of, the skirt. WVhen the skirt is completed, the inner diameter thereof throughout is slightly less than the outer diameter of the tube, and as the skirt possesses an inherent resilient characteristic it can be quickly mounted on the tube, will inherently clamp thereto and provide a seal.

The crimped, creased or crped portions of the skirt are indicatedat 11 Figure 5. Although the skirt is slightly tapered yet it appears of uniform diameter throughout. lVhen the cap is completed the point of joinder of the head 5 With the skirt 6 is rounded as indicated at 12. The free edge of the skirt is squared as indicated at 13. \Vhen the cap is completed the coating t appears on the outer periphery thereof throughout and gives a finished cap.

What I claim is:

A test tube cap comprising a' unitary fi- I brous body consisting of a circular head and a resilient skirt extended from the latter and of annular form, said. skirt having its outer diameter uniform throughout and its inner diameter gradually decreasing from said head to the free end of the skirt.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature hereto.

HOWVARD A. SAYFORD. 

